There’s no denying the fact that Zach Randolph has made a pretty substantial difference in Memphis this year, even if the actual differences in Randolph’s game are anything but. Zeebo’s arrival in Memphis was met with zero expectations, and thus when the Grizzlies experienced an unexpected amount of success this season with Randolph as a 20-10 guy, it was seen as a redemption story.

The catch, of course, is that Randolph isn’t redeemed because he hasn’t changed. The Grizzlies are a better team than expected because of Marc Gasol’s leap, Rudy Gay’s incremental improvement, and O.J. Mayo’s continued ascent into awesome. And, notably — this is where you come in, Zach — because Randolph is a much better player than Hakim Warrick and Darrell Arthur. Zip, bang, boom, and you’ve got a roster that could finish the season with a .500 record with one more win after claiming just 24 victories last year.

Just don’t assume that any of that team success has changed Randolph, who is putting up the same numbers he always has albeit with slightly rosier results. With all that in mind, I hope you’ll understand my cynicism over Randolph’s want for a Pau Gasol-style extension. From Chris Tomasson of FanHouse:

Randolph might not know the exact details of the three-year, $57 million extension Gasol’s brother, Lakers big man Pau Gasol,
signed last December that runs through the 2013-14 season. But Randolph
does believe he’s worthy of getting a similar extension.

“Definitely,” Randolph said.

Randolph said in an interview with FanHouse before Monday’s game at
Denver he wants to sign an extension this summer, and has told Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley his desire to remain with the Grizzlies beyond
when his contract expires in 2011. He brought up the link to Pau Gasol.

“Me and Pau Gasol got signed to the same deal when he was in Memphis
and I was in Portland,” said Randolph, whose contract actually is
slightly less, with Randolph making $16 million this season and $17.33
million next season and the Lakers star earning $16.45 million and
$17.82 million in those seasons. “We got the same contract, and it got
extended. … I hope (to get the extension done this summer). I’d
definitely like to get it done.”

Zach Randolph isn’t Pau Gasol, and he isn’t worth Pau Gasol money. He’s still one of the league’s lesser defenders, and on a dollar-for-dollar basis he could be the worst. Plus, I don’t know if I’ve made this abundantly clear: he’s still Zach Randolph. He hasn’t even been worth Zach Randolph money over the last few seasons, as his game has been picked apart piece by piece and he’s been ridiculed in every media outlet imaginable for his generous contract.

Yet now, because Randolph’s team is actually winning a few games, he’s suddenly validated that deal? Right. Then again, maybe this is pointing to what has really been Zeebo’s issue all along: a lack of self-awareness. He wouldn’t be the first NBAer to overvalue his own contributions, but through all of Zach’s darker years, it’s never seemed as though Randolph even began to grapple with the possibility that something he was doing was wrong. It’s as if in Zeebo world, 20-10 is its own impenetrable logic, and they of the 20-10 cloth can do no wrong.

Well they can. This really isn’t meant to come off as much of as a complete smear campaign, though I’m sure it reads that way. Randolph has a place and a value in the NBA, and all things considered he’s still a very, very productive player. He’s just not quite worth the price tag he’s trying to put on himself, nor quite the redemptive hero he’s made out to be.

You probably answered “the Clippers.” Most fans do. So do most NBA referees — And everyone else. Which is why after a recent loss to Golden State, veteran Marreese Speight (a Warrior last season) pointed to the Clippers complaining about the officiating as part of the problem.

He went on to say that the scouting report is you can get in the Clippers’ heads by knocking them around a little. Which seems pretty obvious when you watch teams play them. Shockingly, Clippers coach Doc Rivers disagrees with that. Via NBCLosAngeles.com.

“The officiating thing, I don’t think, is our issue. I will say that,” said Rivers about the technical fouls. “If that were the problem, then, Golden State would be struggling. They’ve been No. 2 the last two years in techs, too. I think we need to point fingers in another direction than that.”

Doc may not like it, but Speights is right.

The Warriors do complain too much, but they also have a ring so more is forgiven. The problem for the Clippers is that reputation for complaining starts with Rivers — he complains as much or more than any coach in the league. Then it filters down through Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Is it fair that more is forgiven with winning? Moot question. Welcome to America. The Clippers complain a lot and have yet to get past the second round with this core. And at times there standing there complaining to the referees does get in the way of them getting back into defense, and they seem to go in a funk.

The Pelicans are disappointing this season — it is Anthony Davis vs. the world down there. Which is the main reason they are 7-16 this season. While things have gotten better since Jrue Holiday‘s return, Davis is averaging a league-best 31.4 points per game, it then drops off to Holiday at 15.4, and then E'Twaun Moore at 11.1.

When a team struggles, usually that is a bad sign for the coach. Not because it’s always their fault, but because GMs choose not to fire themselves for poor roster construction. Which leads to the question: Alvin Gentry, are you concerned about your job? (Warning, NSFW)

New Orleans’ struggles are not on Gentry, certainly not completely. He’d like a roster that can play uptempo, that has depth. What he got instead was a good point guard, an elite 4/5, a rookie in Buddy Hield that maybe pans out down the line, and then… nada. And the roster Gentry has often is banged up.

If anyone is in trouble, it is GM Dell Demps. Remember, Danny Ferry was hired last summer for the vague role of “special advisor.” Gentry is in his second year, and the issue is the roster he was given. But the Pelicans are a patient organization that values continuity, so… who knows. But the clock is ticking on Davis;, it’s years away, but the Pelicans need to build a team around him and are far from that right now.

Jones told the Beacon Journal he will retire after next season, which will be his 15th in the NBA. His ultimate dream is to ride off after three consecutive championships in Cleveland

“I know playing 15 years is a number where I can look back and I can be like, ‘I accomplished something,’ ” Jones said. “Fourteen vs. 15 may not be much, but to be able to say I played 15 years, that’s enough for me to hang ’em up.”

Jones’ contract expires after the season, so the Cavs will have a say in whether he returns. Safe to say if LeBron wants him back, Jones will be back.

But the Heat got into trouble relying on washed-up veterans around LeBron, wasting valuable roster spots on players who could no longer contribute.

Is that Jones? Not yet. Though he’s out of the rotation, he has still made 11-of-12 open 3-pointers this season. There’s a role for him as spot-up shooter when Cleveland needs one.

Still, the Cavaliers ought to be mindful of Jones’ likely decline over the next year and a half. Plus, it’s not a certainty he holds to his timeline. Cavs veterans have a history of changing their mindon retirement.